According to Shen Zhou Film studio, Awakening is about three immortals descending to the world from the heavens, reincarnating lifetime after lifetime for a thousand years. During this time, they live as royalty, peasants, and lastly as modern day individuals. Amid delusion and tragedies, they struggle to maintain their sacred vows to one another, while searching for the meaning of life on earth. With the way back to heaven finally within their grasp, they face the hardest challenge of their several lives.
Awakening won praises at the fourth international 2011 Taiwan Film Festival in February. Among members of the audience in Taiwan were movie directors and playwrights. Some commented that Awakening had a flowing story line. One director said it captured the audience and engaged them to think beyond what was shown. He added that the artistic form of this movie was that of “a beautiful picture.”
Others were touched by the inner beauty of Wang Zhaojun—the legendary "political bride" beauty in Chinese history. She played an essential role in establishing peaceful relations between the Han Dynasty and the barbarian Huns in Mongolia through royal marriage.
Awakening will be shown twice on Tuesday, April 26, at 3:30-5:00 p.m. and 7:00-8:30 p.m. The first showing will be followed by a question and answer session with Director Wei. A reception is planned next, followed by presentations by Director Wei and some persons from the production team before the final showing at 7:00 p.m.
Location of the showings is in The Wechsler Theater in the Mary Graydon Center, room 315, at American University, 4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. Admission is free. RSVP by April 25: AwakeningLunHui@gmail.com
